USS WOODROW R. THOMPSON DD-721

WOODROW REGINALD THOMPSON

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, April 2016

Woodrow Reginald Thompson, born on 12 March 1919 at Belva, W. Va., enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 12 January 1940 at Charleston, W. Va. He went through “boot camp” at Parris Island, S.C., and served at Quantico, Va.; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and Parris Island, attaining promotions to private, first class, on 20 September 1940; to corporal on 1 September 1941; and to sergeant on 1 July 1942.

When his unit, the 1st Marine Division (reinforced), was sent to Guadalcanal, Sergeant Thompson sailed with them. There, his platoon took part in operations designed to drive the Japanese 4th Infantry from a bridgehead at the mouth of the Matanikau River. On the evening of 8 October 1942, the Marines dug in for the night in the steaming jungle. Soon the Japanese launched a desperate counter-attack against the hastily prepared Marine positions, charging against the thinly held right flank of the American lines.

Fierce fighting ensued. Small arms, automatic weapons, and grenades were the principal weapons. Desperate hand-to-hand combat took place in the night as the Japanese sought to escape envelopment. Sergeant Thompson refused to be dislodged from his position and gave his life early on 9 October, “after exacting a tremendous toll on the enemy.” For his devotion to duty and “extraordinary heroism,” Thompson received a posthumous Navy Cross. The 1st Marines subsequently received a Presidential Unit Citation.